A counseling session is a confidential meeting between you and a MAP mental health professional to discuss your concern and figure out how best to resolve it. 

• Short-term individual counseling provided by professionally trained and licensed counselors in our offices for a variety of concerns members may have, from marital or family problems to stress or workplace issues or alcohol and drug addiction
• Short-term support groups
• Assistance with referrals to outside services
• If you are in crisis, experiencing distress, need resources or a referral, our counselors are available for UFT members 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or text at 1-866-UFT-FOR-U.

The UFT Member Assistance Program can help members: 

• Find mental health services to fit your needs
• Assess for and refer to appropriate substance abuse programs
• Help with marital or family relationship problems
• Arrange assistance for victims of domestic violence
• Offer referrals to legal or credit counseling services
• Provide trauma and bereavement support
• Suggest treatment referrals for eating disorders
• Provide support during times of crisis

The UFT's Member Assistance Program is a union-based program providing free, confidential and voluntary services to all in-service UFT members. Our staff are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in working with NYC school-based staff and other union members. MAP supports its members through clinical assessment and consultations, support groups and professional development workshops. We can assist members with resources, referrals, and general navigation through a wide range of union services.

If you haven't otherwise been informed, the number and type of observations you receive will change once you are tenured. If tenure was granted, you would be assigned a minimum of two informal observations as part of your yearly teacher evaluation instead of three informals and one formal. This would be reflected on your IPC (initial planning conference) preference sheet that you will receive at the beginning of the school year. 

Please note: if you receive tenure after the IPC window closes for the year (usually in late October), then the minimum number of observations would not be reduced until the following school year.

A Line of Duty Injury leave must be requested via the DOE’s Self-Service Online Leave of Absence System (SOLAS).

The dates of your leave should include only the actual days you are out, so you should request Line of Duty Injury status from the day of your first absence to the date of your last absence. Make sure to contact your school to inform them of the specific dates that you will be absent.

Under Line of Duty Injury, pedagogues may apply for important benefits, including paid time off from work to recover and reimbursement of medical expenses.

If you are injured in the line of duty, your health plan covers your medical care. You can receive reimbursement from the DOE for reasonable medical expenses — incurred because of an injury in the line of duty and not covered by insurance — of up to $1,500.

Until the DOE approves your LODI status, absent days come out of your sick bank (CAR). Those days will be restored once you are granted LODI status, and your pay will continue as usual. If you have to miss work to appear in court, the days will not come out of your sick bank — as long as you file the appropriate paperwork.

You must notify your administration within 24 business hours of any accident or injury on school grounds or while on school business. Complete the DOE’s Comprehensive Injury Report and return it to your principal. Inform your chapter leader as soon as possible.

If you are unable to inform your administration because of the severity of your injury or other reasonable grounds, ask your chapter leader or another designee to report your injury.

Make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible. Get a note from your doctor describing the extent of your injury and the anticipated time you will need to recover. Many health care providers do not know that pedagogues are not covered under workers’ compensation and will ask for an incident number. If you need to submit proof, show them the letter from the New York City Law Department that explains the matter.

If you intend to sue the DOE, jlinton [at] uft [dot] org (contact Junior Linton) from the UFT Health and Safety Department as soon as possible. He will send you a legal intake form, which you should fill out and return to him. An attorney will contact you soon thereafter. A notice of intent to sue or notice of claim legal referral form must be filed by you or an attorney within 90 calendar days of the date of your accident or illness.

A new state law took effect on Sept. 1, 2025 that establishes maximum allowable temperatures in classrooms and support service spaces like offices, libraries, gyms and cafeterias (except kitchen areas used for food preparation). All schools must now develop an extreme heat policy that meets the requirements of the law. Read the DOE’s guidelines on this new law »

The law states that when classroom temperatures reach 82 degrees, schools must take action to alleviate heat-related discomfort. These interventions may include turning off lights and unused electronics, lowering blinds or shades, using fans, opening windows or doors, limiting strenuous activities, providing water breaks or relocating classes. 

Under the new law, the maximum allowable temperature in a classroom or support service space is 88 degrees. If the temperature in a room exceeds 88 degrees, the school must have a plan to relocate students and staff where practicable. To minimize disruption during heat waves, principals should ensure there are available cooler relocation spaces, such as air-conditioned locations, or initiate the process to ensure that the majority of the instructional spaces in the school have working air conditioning.

If your school is not complying with the new law, reach out to your chapter leader who can contact the UFT Health & Safety Department for assistance. 

See more about indoor temperature regulations »